The week did not get off to a good start for us on Wednesday.
Well, I take that back. It started good by nailing the winner ($5.40) and exacta ($24.00) in the opener, but went steadily downhill after that.
We cashed a few tickets, but in four of the races on the card yesterday, I failed to come up with the winner among my top four picks.
The winners of those four races paid $10.00, $21.20, $31.40, and $33.00.
The good news is we have a $30,556 Pick 6 carryover for Thursday, and a nine race card that looks quite playable.
Trainer Gary Contessa is off to a good start at the meeting, hitting with three of his 10 starters. The trainer got off to a slow start at the Saratoga meeting.
One surprise after four days of the meeting is the Spa’s leading jockey Ramon Dominguez is off to a slow start here, winning with just 2 of his first 19 mounts.
Alan Garcia, who finished in the runner up spot in the jockey standings at the Spa meeting, is off to a quick start. Garcia has won with five of his first 12 mounts after four days of the meeting.
To purchase my full card report for Belmont Park that includes analysis, selections, fair odds, and wagering recommendations for today click here.
Here is today's opening race from Belmont Park to get our day off to a good start:
BEL Race 1 Clm $16,000 (1:00 et)
#3 Fuhrever Dancing 5/2
#4 Deputyville 5/1
#1 Bebob / #1a Bullara 3/1
#5 Chief Export 7/2
Analysis: #3 Fuhrever Dancing drops out of a $25K claimer at the Spa where the gelding dueled for the early lead and weakened to finish fourth. The winner of the race was Starforaday, who came back to beat $25K starter handicap company in his next outing on Sept. 5. The Guillo barn had a quiet Spa meeting, starting just five runners with one win. The trainer has hit at a 30% clip here at Belmont Park during the past six months. The gelding was also coming off a career top two back and may have bounced last out. The gelding has run well over the main track here (3-2-1-0) ands drops into a softer spot here.
#4 Deputyville also drops out of a $25K claimer, finishing a non threatening eighth on the turf. Two back he made a good late rally to finish third for a $25K tag, beaten two lengths by the winner Optimer, who came back to beat $25K claimers again in his next start on Aug. 30. The gelding is 0 for 9 on turf, with all three of his career wins coming on the main track, so the surface switch along with the class drop should suit. The gelding has some late foot and he should get a solid early pace in front of him here.
Wagering
WIN: #3 to win at 2/1 or better.
EX: 3,4 / 1,3,4,5
TRI: 3,4 / 1,3,4,5 / 1,3,4,5,8
Today's Featured Race of the Day from Belmont Park:
BEL Race 8 Alw $45,000N1X (4:45 et)
#7 Wall Street Wonder 7/2
#4 Peace Wine 9/2
#9 Fateh Field 4/1
#1 Sigmondo 6/1
Analysis: #7 Wall Street Wonder exits the $73K Northrup where the colt tracked the early pace, took over the lead and weakened to finish third, beaten three lengths for the top spot. The colt has mixed it up versus tougher than these and makes his third start of his current form cycle for the Baffert barn that is always potent in NY, hitting at a 31% clip over the last two years.
#4 Peace Wine drew off late to break his maiden last out in his fourth career start, which came off a 2 1/2 month break. The runner up in the race was Mr. Sandman, who came back to graduate in his next outing on Sept. 13. Two back the Weaver runner was a good second at today's seven furlong distance behind Courageous Cat, who returned to win the A Gift on July 19, then the Hall of Fame (G2) on Aug. 14. His last two figures put him right in the mix here for a sharp barn.
Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 5/2 or better.
EX: 4,7 / 1,4,7,9
TRI: 4,7 / 1,4,7,9 / 1,2,3,4,7,9
Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.
Belmont Park
R2: #9 For Free 8/1
R2: #8 Gin Tango 20/1
R4: #10 Supreme Serene 8/1
R4: #7 Saver Dude 10/1
R5: #7 Sequoya Mountain 10/1
Good luck today!
